How will Tennessee RB commits Lyn-J Dixon and Anthony Grant Jr. play together?

Tennessee is looking to recapture its glory from the 1990s. Join us daily at SEC Country for the latest Tennessee recruiting news and notes on the next crop of Volunteers. In this edition, we discuss how Tennessee running back commits Lyn-J Dixon and Anthony Grant Jr. will fit together, and Jordan Miner’s commitment date.

Last weekend, Tennessee received commitments from Class of 2018 Georgia running backs Lyn-J Dixon and Anthony Grant Jr. The Vols typically bring on two running backs each class, so barring any de-commitments, these will be the two running backs coming to campus next summer.

Dixon and Grant seemingly having a similar amount of talent makes this class a unique situation, though. Usually, Tennessee brings in one running back with superior talent to the other (Alvin Kamara/Joe Young in 2015, Ty Chandler/Timothy Jordan in 2017). Dixon and Grant seem to be a different story, though.

Dixon rates as a 4-star prospect and the No. 6 all-purpose back in the country, per the 247Sports composite rankings, while Grant ranks as a 3-star and No. 19 running back. Scout does rate Grant as a 4-star.

Grant splits carries on his high school team, so doing the same in college will be more of the same. Dixon, however, has always been his school’s main playmaker.

Both commits possess solid talent. Will they fit together?

Grant has breakaway speed when he gets past the line of scrimmage. The opening kick return highlights his ability to find open space.

“He can fly,” Dixon’s high school coach Mark Wilson told SEC County. “I’ve been coaching 30 years and I haven’t seen nobody like, you know, he’s one of the best I’ve coached. I’ve never seen anybody catch him. He’s very quick.”

Dixon returns kicks, as well. Last season, two of his five kickoff returns went for touchdowns.

“He’s a dynamic player,” Wilson said. “He rushed for 2,000 yards last year and caught for 400 yards receiving. Heck of a player. He’s dynamic, really fast and elusive.”

In the SEC, splitting carries almost is a necessity to preserve the health of all the backs.

Tennessee seemed to struggle with juggling two different premier running backs in Jalen Hurd and Kamara early in the season. Hurd received the bulk of the carries, while Kamara seemed underutilized early on.

Dixon in the slot and Grant in the backfield could be an exciting wrinkle that Tennessee could throw out. Almost like the set USC used with Reggie Bush and LenDale White in the mid-2000s. Bush split out wide and White lined up as the only running back.

USC’s duo possessed a lot more talent than these backs, but a new offensive coordinator for the Vols in Larry Scott might bring more innovation to the offense.

Jordan Miner sets a commitment date

Four-star Florida cornerback Jordan Miner announced via Twitter that his commitment date will be July 6.

Thanks to @SpecSportsFL I will be announcing my commitment on Tv July 6🙏🙏

Tennessee made his final cut along with Florida, North Carolina, Syracuse, Penn State, Kentucky, Oregon, Maryland, Auburn, Georgia and North Carolina State.

Miner rates as the No. 29 corner in the Class of 2018.

Tennessee currently holds secondary commits this class from Brendon Harris, Brandon Cross and Tanner Ingle. The Vols will lose five seniors in the secondary on their two-deep roster after this fall, so there may be chances for early playing time.